Impromptu appointment called in by Mrs. Vanderwall’s assistant for 1230.

The silence stretched as Dom, as I had been asked to call her, sat staring down at her knees.

“Dom, I understand that there was something that you wanted tot talk about?” I prodded gently.

She shrugged. “Not really. I just wanted to get out of the house. I can still smell him in there.”

“Smell who?”

“My son. Julius. And it’s tearing my heart apart.”

I watched as she absently rubbed at her chest and felt my own constrict at her leaden tone. “Where is Julius?”

She laughed humorlessly. “He ran away. He ran away so I could be happy again but the little fool doesn’t understand that he makes me happy.”

Dom seems to have a warm, loving relationship with her son.

“Why would he run away? And where would he go?”

“Because of Ethan. Our relationship isn’t the best on a good day but I’ve been with him so long…I know his faults. It’s just over the last few years he’s changed into a person that I can’t stand. And Julius was going to look for his cousin Caine.”

Caine Lancaster???!!!

“So, why don’t you just leave?”

“It’s…complicated. Ethan would never let me leave with Julius and I can’t leave my son with him.”

It seems as if Ethan Vanderwall is a very domineering man.

“Have you talked to a lawyer about this situation?”

She laughed humorlessly before rubbing her hands tiredly over her eyes. “What lawyer wants to go up against Ethan? He has wealth and power and the man isn’t in his right mind.”

“But what about your son? You don’t want him to grow up in that sort of environment. “

“No, no I don’t but I don’t want to live my life in fear either. I can’t just run away. I made my bed. I’m a prisoner of my own making…and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“I’m sure if-”

“No, no.” Her shoulders straightened and she stared at me with piercing blue eyes. “I’ve never been a victim. I’m not going to start now. I know what I have to do.”

“Dom, if there’s anything that I can do to help don’t hesitate to call me. I don’t think you’re thinking rationally right now.”

“This is the most rational I have been in weeks. Thank you for taking the time to see me.”

“It’s not a problem.”

I waited until the door closed softly behind her before scribbling a quick note.

I need to get in touch with Caine.